Missed the opener, but Blonde Redhead was AMAZING! Sound and lighting was excellent. Awesome band and set.
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On September 14, Blonde Redhead will release their third album for 4AD, titled Penny Sparkle. It is another sonic twist in their already adventurous canon. Blonde Redhead is the trio of Kazu Makino, Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace.
Blonde Redhead has always been a band that innovates with each album. They challenge themselves with each recording situation, and the results have been stunning every time. Their music is always inspired by the same emotions, but their tastes and ways they choose to execute those emotions are constantly evolving. It was the early conversations about how to make this record that led the band to work with the up and coming Swedish duo Van Rivers and The Subliminal Kid (Henrik von Sivers and Peder Mannerfelt) as producers on the record. Drew Brown (Radiohead, Beck) also did production work on the record.
This really marks the first time that the band has worked in such a collaborative manner with their producers. Kazu says, "It was a real test - it shook everything up quite a bit." In fact, they were very much working outside of their comfort level, forced to move into directions that were completely unexpected, with many different opinions in the mix, which led to many challenges along the way. With friction however - there is also great art. And that's exactly what we have with Penny Sparkle. It's a truly gorgeous album, one that the band is VERY happy with. Although it took over a year to get there, the completion of the record lifted a huge weight off the band's shoulders.
The band initially spent six months in upstate New York working on the songs for the album. Despite the beauty of their upstate surroundings, the band felt very secluded. Simone said, "I wasn't too crazy about being up there, completely isolated - it was really beautiful, but without escape...we were working all the time, from the moment we got up to when we went to bed." They couldn't just take a break and go meet friends like they could at home in New York City, so they ended up feeling quite trapped and isolated - which is a feeling that clearly echoes through Penny Sparkle.
When it came time to record, they decided to do a trial run with Henrik and Peder. Kazu headed to Sweden to work on one song, "Here Sometimes" - to see how it might go. It was a little awkward for her - working away from Amedeo and Simone with people she barely knew in the middle of the grey winter. She really loved being in Stockholm, but she felt very isolated and looked forward to working on the record again back in New York with the twins and getting their thoughts on the collaboration.
Kazu returned to New York and the band spent time working with Drew Brown at The Magic Shop to record some basic tracks, and also to work on incorporating the electronic elements that Henrik and Peder had worked on. It was over Christmas and New Year's, and it was one of the coldest winters New York had seen. No one celebrated the holidays with their families - they just worked and worked - although at times felt like they weren't accomplishing anything. When they had more tracks recorded, Kazu went back to Sweden again, as it was decided that the collaboration would work.
Finally, in February, the band realized that they in fact had accomplished quite a bit. Everyone - the band, Drew, Henrik and Peder - met together in New York to finally all work in the same room - Sear Sound. This was just a few months before Walter Sear, the studio's owner, passed away; he helped them program the moog for the sessions. This is where the songs finally found their finished form. It took a long time, and it was very difficult, but the journey it took to create Penny Sparkle is well worth it.
The results of everyone's very hard work are found in the 10 songs that comprise Penny Sparkle. It's an emotional album full of discreet electronic flourishes, lush and sultry vocals and interesting sounds never before heard on a Blonde Redhead record. Sonically, the album sounds amazing on any stereo - which was also a goal of the bands. They really wanted it to sound perfect on any type of listening device.
It's no wonder that the band has some tensions to release after recording a record like this. In their spare time, Kazu and Amedeo both turn to horse riding, and Simone escapes on his motorcycle. Speaking of spare time, it's a wonder they have any at all. Between the year that it took to make Penny Sparkle, plus the soundtrack work that Simone and Amedeo have taken on, there really isn't much time to spare at all.
Simone first got into motorcycles about 10 years ago. Since then, he has educated himself about their inner workings and can fix his own bikes - Moto Guzzi being the preferred brand.
Kazu spends time in upstate New York, where she rides and takes care of horses, including her own. It's also where she met the album's namesake horse, Penny Sparkle. The stable at which Kazu keeps her horse is the same place where she had her riding accident in 2002. It's often surprising to some that she still rides after such a horrible accident, but it really brought her closer to her hobby and made her work even harder at it. Amedeo rides too, but he enjoys more of the training side of it.
Blonde Redhead have ended up with a thing of beauty in Penny Sparkle. Despite the rocky road they went down while making it, Kazu says, "I know that we have never made a record this way and if I could go back in time, I would do it exactly the same way again." And if the band is happy, then we should all be, too.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/26/10Showbox at the Market - Seattle Rating: 4 out of 5 Wish they had half stars
by Hazytundra on 11/22/10The Warfield - San FranciscoIt was as close to five stars as possible. She had an awesome mask that had a Fu Man Chu mustach. The lighting was very well done. The music was great, a blend of their slower songs and more heavy ones.
Rating: 5 out of 5by 33blackink on 11/22/10The Warfield - San Francisco Best performance and set list I have seen of Blonde Redhead.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/21/10The Warfield - San Francisco I have known Blonde Redhead since years now but they always have the same energy on the stage. It was the first time at Warfield and it is awesome.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Still Talented, but Lost in a Fog
by Horsiehal on 11/21/10The Warfield - San FranciscoI have been a Blonde Redhead fan for a long time and think they are one of the most talented and innovative bands ever. However, their new album is just like their new special effect on stage. . . foggy. Their previous album, 23, had several songs that had that same dreamy like quality, but each one was distinct and interesting. The songs on Penny Sparkle all seem to run together and sound the same. Which leads me back to the live performance. They did play enough of their old songs to liven up the show, but the set order of songs seemed disjointed. All in all, I am such a hard core fan, that I really did enjoy the show, but just not nearly as much as the previous shows I have attended. Blonde Redhead has an amazing ability to reinvent themselves, so I will wait to see what comes out of this trio's genius!
Rating: 5 out of 5 absolute amazing!
by REMYT1 on 11/21/10warfield - san franciscoi've never seen a show this amazing! everysong the whole time! they played non stop for 2 hours. they came back onto stage twice just because the fans were going insane! i will never forget this event, i waited 3 years to witness greatness and it was worth the wait!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Blonde Redhead lights were amazing
by Anonymous on 11/21/10The Warfield - San FranciscoThe show was incredible, but best of all was the lights! They were unbelievable! They really made the whole show.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Great show!!
by Semiotics on 11/21/10The Warfield - San FranciscoIt was good to see blonde redhead again. The last time I saw them it was in 98 or something. I dug the new tunes. The warfield is too boomy for some I'd the more complicated synth textures. I liked it when they played their older stuff.
Rating: 4 out of 5by posiblymaybe on 11/21/10The Warfield - San Francisco Blonde Redhead consistentlyputon an amazing show! I loved hearing the new album live.
Rating: 5 out of 5 I got goosebumps.
by Laur44n on 11/20/10The Warfield - San FranciscoI was kind of upset at first because G/A had sold out so we were stuck with balcony seats, which aren't my favorite but I did not want to miss Blonde Redhead. The opening act was alright, I mean she had a very nice voice but too slow for an opening act, in my opinion. I was yawning :/ after that was done there was an intermission. When Kazu came out I was so happy. Her voice is so angelic and melodic, all of the songs performed live were exactly (or better) like the albums. They performed songs from"Penny Sparkle" and "23" plus a fantastic encore. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone, I plan to see them again when I have the chance.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Beautiful and Eclectic
by FASTM3 on 11/20/10The Music Box - HollywoodThis group is the best group I have ever seen. True musicians that put their hearts into their music. Very different and cool.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/19/10The Music Box - Hollywood By far the best show I've ever been to. I cannot wait until I can see them again.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Just ok
by Anonymous on 11/18/10The Music Box - HollywoodToo sleepy for me....I think I yawned once or twice and left before the end. But that may just be me, as I'd never seen them before and only owned a few of their songs (the faster paced ones albeit). Just my personal preference wanting to dance more.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Awesome
by esthetic on 11/18/10The Music Box - HollywoodGreat sound system and the band really rocked out hard this time. Lots of raw rythm guitar.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Luxi on 11/18/10The Music Box - Hollywood Beautiful ambience, taking me far away into a dream land. This is the first time I saw them live. Everything is skillfully done with a nice level of maturity, yet a good amount of freshness and curiosity. The quality of their sound and performance is consistent through out. The live experience they delivered exceeds a digital recording in so many ways.
Rating: 5 out of 5by StDamian on 11/18/10The Music Box - Hollywood Good music cool venue. easy parking. EXPENSIVE DRINKS!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 brilliant
by chezpatrick on 11/18/10The Music Box - HollywoodI've been listening to them for years now, really loved their groove, and finally saw them at The Music Box. It moved me so much that I got together friends to go back with me the second night. It was even better. The new album is enchanting, and their performance built up to a nice jam. Mad lyrics. Gracious. A dream you never want to end. They stay with you.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/18/10The Music Box - Hollywood I was in awe the whole time. The lighting and atmosphere was perfect. The songs were perfectly executed, despite a technical difficulty with Kazu's keyboard. I stood all the way in the front near Amedeo, which made it even better. It ranks high in my list of concerts that I have attended.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Blonde Redhead was amazing!
by Amaranthe on 11/18/10The Music Box - HollywoodI have to say, the most notable thing about this concert was that the sound quality was perfect. The band sounded like they were lip-syncing (they were not). The music was spectacular, and was set at a really nice venue. The crowd was great too! Perfect night out :)
Rating: 5 out of 5 i am in love with a woman
by bree1234 on 11/18/10The Music Box - Hollywoodliterally one of the best show i've ever been to in my life. truly powerful. the perfect sound, lighting and effects made for an incredible visceral experience.